Illinois Attorney General Demands iPhone, Android Privacy Answers

Apple and Google are facing another appearance with politicians to explain their location tracking practices and policies for the iPhone and Android-based smartphones. Now Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan contacted both companies on Monday seeking a meeting, according to the St. Louis Business Journal.

Illinois now investigating Apple, Google mobile privacy

The meeting request follows reports that Apple’s iPhone tracks user locations, and stores that data on their phone and computer in unencrypted files. It appears that Apple isn’t collecting the logs from user’s computers, but Google is apparently gathering location data from Android-based devices more than once an hour.

The news prompted Senator Al Franken to schedule a Senate hearing with the companies for May 10, and also led to a Federal lawsuit against Apple alleging the company has committed computer fraud and violated consumer’s privacy.

“I want to know whether consumers have been informed of what is being tracked and stored by Apple and Google and whether those tracking and storage features can be disabled,” Attorney General Madigan said. “It’s important that these companies ensure that their users’ private information is protected.”

Seriously, it is her responsibility to be a guardian for Illinois consumers. However, I would think it more fiscally responsible to wait for the findings of Senator Franken’s hearings.

Kirk2:10 PM EDT, Apr. 26th, 2011Guest

This woman could care less about privacy! This is coming from the same woman that wanted to make public all details about anyone carrying an FOID card. What a nut! Seem like talking out of both sides of your mouth?? Now people know why Illinois is so messed up.